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British film writer working on Lauda script

ESPNF1 Staff
April 30, 2011
Niki Lauda returned to F1 just six weeks after his horrific accident at the Nurburgring in 1976 © Press Association
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Oscar-nominated screenwriter Peter Morgan is working on a script to immortalise Niki Lauda's 1976 season as a film.

Best known for writing The Queen and Frost/Nixon, Morgan is now focusing on Lauda's most dramatic year in Formula One when he almost burned to death in a fiery crash at the Nurburgring but returned six weeks later to battle James Hunt for the title. The typically-blunt Lauda joked to Vienna radio Oe3 that he is giving some thought to which actor might depict him.

"Anyone who is 25 or 26 with his right ear burnt off and dreams to be made up to look like me can start making plans," he said.

DPA news agency said Morgan, who is being actively supported by 62-year-old Lauda, is seeking a producer and director for the project. Lauda won 25 grands prix and three world championships and is also famous for his airline businesses. He is still a regular in the F1 paddock, appearing as a pundit for German television.

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